Earthships, created by architect Mike Reynolds, are houses constructed with a combination of natural and recycled material that have been built for minimal reliance on public utilities or fossil fuels.

The focus is on self-sustainability. The base of an Earthship is a metre or two below surface level and they’re typically built in a desert climate due to building restrictions and the ability of the tires to store and release thermal energy to regulate temperature. Water is collected from rain and snowfall, and fed into a filter module that makes it safe to drink. Used water is then treated and reused to flush toilets and grow food. Energy is harvested from solar panels and wind generators located near the Earthship, and stored in batteries for use when necessary.

The functionality of an earth ship is unrivaled, every drop of water is used multiple times.

Source: If you’re sick of suburbia and paying heating bills, Earthships might be your way out